Karim Abouelnaga: From Humble Beginnings to Transforming Education

If you believe one person can change thousands of lives, this conversation will show you exactly how it’s done.

In today’s episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sits down with Karim Abouelnaga, founder and CEO of Practice Benefit Corp.

From growing up in a low-income immigrant family to becoming a Cornell graduate, TED Fellow, and the driving force behind one of the nation’s fastest-growing education reform companies, Karim’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and scalable social impact.

What We Discussed with Karim Abouelnaga

From 60 Absences to Cornell Graduate
Karim shares how losing his father at a young age became the turning point that fueled his relentless pursuit of education.

Finding Purpose Over Paychecks
After internships at Goldman Sachs and BlackRock, Karim faced a defining crossroads — take the safe financial path or double down on his passion for closing the opportunity gap.

Building Practice: From Nonprofit to B-Corp
Discover why Karim transitioned Practice from a nonprofit into a mission-driven for-profit organization — and how it’s now serving over 61,000 students annually across 143 schools.

Leadership Lessons in Scaling a Social Enterprise
We dive into how Karim built sustainable growth by understanding school systems, mastering public procurement, and never losing sight of the mission.

Real Impact: Stories That Power the Mission
Hear moving examples of how Practice students have gone on to Ivy League schools, top companies like Google and BlackRock, and are now giving back to their own communities.

The Future of Education and AI’s Role
Karim shares his vision for a future where real-time personalized education support becomes the standard — and how AI is reshaping opportunity for the next generation.

Key Takeaways

• 02:00 — How Karim’s early challenges shaped his passion for education
• 06:30 — Lessons learned from internships at Goldman Sachs and BlackRock
• 13:00 — Turning down six-figure offers to build a movement
• 20:00 — Pivoting Practice into a sustainable, scalable B-Corp
• 29:00 — Real student success stories that show the power of opportunity
• 36:00 — How AI will revolutionize educational equity
• 40:00 — Productivity habits: clarity, prioritization, and stacking small wins

Final Thoughts

Karim’s story proves that purpose, persistence, and a willingness to bet on your mission can create real, lasting change — even in the toughest industries.
It’s a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what you build, but who you lift up along the way.

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe to the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast for more inspiring journeys.

You can also connect with Karim directly through his website karimabouelnaga.com or follow him on LinkedIn for more insights on leadership, education, and social impact.